The Indians are close to getting a couple of key players back in Michael Bourn and Jason Giambi. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the Rays continuing to dish out extensions, an lingering injury problem for Ryan Braun, and more.

He may have had an option, but he may not be the best option. Five runs on five hits through the first three innings Saturday proved more than enough for the Twins against Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 6.35 ERA), as Minnesota cruised to an easy 7-3 victory Saturday afternoon. Join IBI Indians beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

The season opening series in Oakland saw the Cleveland Indians take the series 2-1, both of their wins having been taken in dramatic fashion. It took awhile to get going on Friday, but the Indians opened up their home schedule with a 7-2 thumping of the Twins and the IBI's John Grimm shares some thoughts on the performances of some key players.

The Indians are off to a hot start to begin the season! In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the latest on the likelihood Ike Davis is traded, the Nationals make a comment regarded their payroll situation, and more.

There's no place like home. Back at Progressive Field for the first time in over six months, the Indians wouldn't let a few raindrops get in the way of Cleveland's most unofficial holiday. Down 2-0 in the bottom half of the sixth, the Tribe outscored Minnesota 7-0 over the final four frames, defeating the Twins, 7-2. Join IBI Tribe beat reporter Jim Berdysz as he recaps the action from the ballpark.

Zach McAllister made his season debut for the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, and it was a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, there were some positives, but it was far from a stellar performance. Nonetheless, the IBI's Steve Orbanek believes McAllister will play a key role for Indians and the team's chances for success in 2014, and he details that in the latest edition of Orbiting Cleveland.

Jason Kipnis has always been considered a player that's been a hard-worker. Unfortunately, when you are stereo-typed as a hard-worker, you are often downgraded as a player that has to overcome a lack-of-talent. Kipnis has fought that "blue-collar" stereotype his entire life, and in doing so, proved to the Indians that he's more than just a guy that gets dirty. Join Jim Pete as he chronicles Kipnis and his meteoric rise from his high school brilliance, to contract renaissance.

After a long and especially unpleasant winter, the boys of summer have returned and are about to make their way back to Cleveland as the Indians finally return from the West Coast. In Oakland, the Tribe didn't exactly play flawless baseball, but they managed to leave with a series win under their belts, which is pretty much all you can ask for. Join the IBI's Jake Dungan as he provides his pros and cons from the opening series.

Cleveland and second baseman Jason Kipnis reached an agreement on a six-year contract extension early Friday morning according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, among others. The contract is for six years, $52.5 million, covering three arbitration seasons and two years of free agency. The deal also includes a club option for the 2020 season.

Opening Day in Cleveland has finally arrived! In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on an update on Mets closer Bobby Parnell, Arizona's plan for Daniel Hudson, and more.

Cleveland split yesterday's doubleheader, losing game one to Scott Kazmir and the Oakland Athletics 6-1 before winning in comeback fashion 6-4 in the nightcap. Michael Brantley, aka Dr. Smooth, was the hero, singling in two runs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland the lead. With a series win to open the season, Cleveland now heads home to prepare for the home opener on Friday. Join Charlie Adams as he gives his Second Thoughts on last night's doubleheader.

Extending young, promising players has become the norm for small market teams. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on Chris Archer's extension with Tampa Bay, an expanded role for Ryan Raburn, and more.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed young starter Chris Archer to a multi-year deal, continuing their organizational belief that you build and sign good, young pitchers to long-term deals before their worth skyrockets. The Indians have likewise signed players such as Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley to deals, but have yet to incorporate this strategy with their pitchers. Today, Jim Pete looks at the Rays, and points to Danny Salazar as a top candidate for a long-term contract.

It didn't take long for the Indians to have their first game postponed by weather - and it certainly won't be the last time this season. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the injury to Bobby Parnell, the Nationals losing a key piece to their offense, and more.

Smoke Signals is officially back on a weekly basis and tonight Jim Pete and Tony Lastoria kick things off back on it's regular Tuesday night slot. With today's rainout, Smoke Signals will focus on last night's interesting affair, as the Indians scored two runs late to beat the A's 2-0. It wasn't without a bases loaded jam, and a stressful ninth inning. They'll also be talking about what the Indians may have in front of them this year in the A.L. Central, and beyond.

Hours and hours of rain in Oakland threatened to take Opening Day away from us, but Mother Nature cooperated enough to allow the game. And what a game it was. Justin Masterson was brilliant once again on opening day and while the offense struggled the Indians finally broke through in the ninth inning to pull out an exciting 2-0 win on Opening Night.

Opening Day has finally come and gone! In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on an update involving extension talks with Jason Kipnis, extension talks with two star players are tabled, and more.

Who is ready for some baseball? Those of us here at the IBI sure are! It has been almost six months to the day that the Indians lost to the Rays in the single-game elimination Wild Card game and for the first time in a few years there is some sincere optimism heading into the start of a season. With the dawn of a new Indians season now here, we pooled together several IBI writers and put together a roundtable to get their quick thoughts on the Indians this season, their season predictions for the Indians, and their MLB predictions as well.

The offseason has officially ended. Now, enjoy the next seven months full of baseball. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the 40-man roster moves made by the Indians, the talks between the Red Sox and Jon Lester, and more.

In 2013, the Cleveland Indians did the unthinkable: they won 92 games a season after they had only won 68 games, and they made the playoffs. While Kenny Lofton is arguing THAT point, the one-game foray into the postseason realm galvanized the fanbase, and reminded many of what things could be like with a winning baseball team. On paper, the Indians didn't add much to the roster, but will their be enough internal improvement for this team to take it to the next step? Join Jim Pete for your chance and picking the Indians' future with today Power Poll-palooza!!!

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!